Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati shared the points after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium on Wednesday, October 28, with Riquelme’s 90th-minute equalizer providing the final twist in an MLS fixture that saved its biggest moments for the closing stages.

Luis Suárez put Miami ahead in the 61st minute, but Cincinnati turned the match around through Kenji Mboma Dem in the 80th and Samuel Gidi in the 86th. With the visitors on the brink of a comeback victory, Riquelme struck to ensure neither side left empty-handed.

Suárez breaks the deadlock

A goalless first half gave little indication of the late drama to come. Lionel Messi received a yellow card in the 44th minute, and the sides went into the interval level at 0-0.

The breakthrough arrived in the 61st minute when Suárez gave Miami a 1-0 lead. The hosts finished with 60.5% possession, but their advantage on the ball did not translate into a comfortable margin. Cincinnati remained within reach as the match entered its final 10 minutes.

Cincinnati’s comeback meets a late Miami response

Mboma Dem brought Cincinnati level in the 80th minute, setting up a tense finish. Six minutes later, Gidi struck in the 86th to put the visitors 2-1 ahead and leave Miami facing defeat despite having led for much of the second half.

Riquelme supplied the answer in the 90th minute, restoring parity at 2-2. Three goals from the 80th minute onward had transformed a narrow Miami lead into a draw that both sides could view with a mixture of relief and frustration.

There was no further breakthrough before the final whistle. Miami’s Telasco Segovia was booked in the second minute of added time, followed by Suárez, the 61st-minute goalscorer, in the fourth.

Possession advantage, little separation

The final figures underlined how closely contested the fixture remained. Miami edged the shot count 14-13 and registered four efforts on target to Cincinnati’s three. The hosts also held a narrow 4-3 advantage in corners.

For Miami, the point came with relief after their lead disappeared so late. Cincinnati, meanwhile, had overturned a deficit away from home but could not protect their own advantage. A draw reflected a contest in which both teams found a response when trailing.

Next fixtures

Inter Miami next face New England Revolution on Sunday, November 1, at 3:00 p.m. PST. Cincinnati return to action against Philadelphia Union on Saturday, October 31, at 11:00 a.m. PDT.